The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Forty-Four: Apple Picking

Queen Victoria of Cambridge 

September 3rd, 1519 

I held Mary's hand as we followed Henry towards the apple trees. 

Mary has been asking for two weeks when the apples would be ready for her to pick so she could have treats and all the apples she could eat. 

"May I?" Mary asked as she pulled her hand away from me. I chuckled before letting her hand go and smiled as she ran towards Lady Byron who held a basket and started jumping for apples to grab. 

I turned to Henry and watched as he showed both Edward and Henri an apple before allowed Henri to take a bite from it. 

I placed my hand on my stomach and rubbed it as I felt my child kicking around.  In two months hopefully, this little one will be here. Next month I begin my confinement but only after Edward ceremony as the Prince of Wales. 

"Mummy!" I heard Henri cry out and I turned to see him rushing to be with a small light red apple. I bent towards him and took the apple from him. 

"For me?" I asked and he nodded as he grinned up at me. I sent him a wink before biting into the apple and I let out a sigh as the juice trailed down my chin. 

"Like it?" He asked and I giggled before nodding at him. 

"Yes, now let us go help Mary and your father pick some more," I said as I took his hand and led him towards Henry who was holding Edward with both of his arms so Edward could reach an apple. 

"He only has one tooth, Henry. He cannot bite that by himself." I said and Henry turned to me and smiled. 

"I believe he has another one growing." He said before I saw him look past me. I turned around and saw Charles and Mary making their way towards us. I felt a pain in my heart before smiling. 

"Well, the newlyweds are finally back," I said and Mary grinned as she broke apart from her husband and walked towards Henry and me. 

She bowed to us before kissing her brother's cheek. 

"We have such a wonderful time in York! I forgot how much I enjoy it there." She said and Henry chuckled as he balanced Edward on his hip. 

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. But almost one month without my right-hand man was tough for me." He said as he and Charles hugged one another. 

"Well, I am glad to be back Your Majesty. How has it been?" 

"It has been well. Finishing preparing for Edward's installment." I said and Charles's eyes flashed towards me and went to my belly before nodding. 

"Oh, I was too young for Arthur's installment. Will it happen here?" Mary asked but Henry shook his head. 

"No, it shall happen at Westminster. Come and join us. We were just picking fresh apples." He offered and before they could say anything he turned and made his way to where our little Mary was at. 

"Almost time for the little one to be here?" Mary asked as she walked beside me along with Henri and Charles.

"Almost there. Two more months and we shall know if we have a Duke of York or my first princess." I explained as I rubbed my ever-growing belly. 

"I do not know how you are not in confinement yet with that belly. I would demand it." Mary said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her. 

"I did not go into confinement with Edward. I was walking around the court and if I remember correctly I was in the courtyard when my water broke." I stated with a soft smile. 

Charles bowed his head to me before making his way towards Henry. Mary stared after him for a moment before turning to me. 

"Was it easy? For you to get pregnant?" She asked and I nodded. 

"Quite. But that is Henry and me. Charles and you are two different people. It could take longer." I explained as I reached a bench and sat down. 

"Do you love being a mother?" 

"It is the reason why I breathe. When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do after getting dressed is going and check on the children." I explained and when I saw the look on Mary's face I cleared my throat. 

"Sometimes Mary being a mother is not for everyone." 

"But he needs an heir and hopefully a spare at least. You gave my brother a son he has waited so long for. And there is a chance you are giving him his spare. After that, you do not need to give him anymore or you could give him all the girls!" Mary cried out and I raised my hands. 

"I prayed for my entire pregnancy with Edward for him to be a boy. I have seen what he did to Cathrine for not giving him a living son. I know how you feel Mary but if Charles loves you the way he says it, having a girl first will not matter." I whispered before I heard giggling and I turned my head to the left. 

I saw Mary sitting on the ground with Edward on her lap. Henri sat in front of them and I watched as the tried to divide the apples between them all. 

"Then I look at them just like this and I am so blessed to have three children. Yes, I did not give birth to Mary or Henri but I see them as my own. I see them as my children, like my blood. I have never imagined not being a mother." I whispered as I turned to Mary and saw her staring at me with tears pooling in her eyes. 

"Will I ever be a good mother?" 

"If God will's it."